NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, SEP 15
The Tamil Nadu government has spent Rs 7,167.97 crore for controlling the spread of coronavirus, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said on Tuesday, while the state reported 5,697 new coronavirus cases and 68 more fatalities.
Though COVID has impacted the economy, the government has not compromised on implementing welfare schemes, Panneerselvam told the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
“Amma’s government does not wish to curtail expenditure for the welfare of people,” he said, adding all additional expenditure for tackling COVID has been included in supplementary budget estimates.
Consumption would rise only if the government increased its expenditure during economic setbacks, he pointed out.
In total, the government has spent Rs 7,167.97 crore to control the spread of coronavirus, he said replying to leader of opposition M K Stalin, who raised the issue of pandemic control.
For providing financial assistance to several segments of people including ration card holders, fishermen, priests, ulemas and the differently-abled Rs 4,896.05 crore has been spent, he said.
Procurement of medical equipment and drugs has seen a spend of Rs 830.60 crore and for construction of buildings to upgrade healthcare infrastructure Rs 147.10 crore has been spent, he said.
Towards salaries for additionally appointed health personnel, and as incentives for existing employees Rs 243.50 crore, and for virus prevention and treatment Rs 638.85 crore has been spent, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also referred to an outgo of Rs 262.25 crore for isolation purposes and Rs 143.62 crore for providing relief to guest workers.
Panneerselvam also said there was no need for a revised budget for 2020-21.
Stalin, in his address, demanded a white paper on tackling COVID in the state.
He wanted the government to spell out measures on various aspects of virus management like procurement of medical equipment, the tests done and the money spent from state and disaster management funds besides the economic scenario.
Tamil Nadu meanwhile reported 5,697 new coronavirus cases taking the tally to 5,14,208 and the death toll mounted to 8,502 with 68 fatalities. Those dead include 60 with co-morbidities.
With 5,735 patients getting discharged from various hospitals, the recoveries outnumbered fresh cases.
Cumulatively, 4,58,900 people have got cured. As many as 80,623 samples were tested and 60,48,832 is the aggregate number of specimens examined till date.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami told the House that awareness campaign on COVID was on across Tamil Nadu.
The government’s aim is to see that no life is lost due to the pandemic and propaganda was being done through the municipal administration and police departments in all areas using public address systems.
Also leaflets were being distributed in all households on other diseases like cancer as well besides the coronavirus, its indications and the need to immediately approach medical practitioners.
